The Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 vs Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 measures 37,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 13,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 at 23,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 tips the scales at 265 lbs — 200 lbs less than the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 at 65 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 tops out at 125 hp. Engine specs for the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 carries 53 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Premier Boats Alante 231 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 is rated for 24 passengers, while the Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 could be the deciding factor.
The Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Premier Boats 360 Wide Dek 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 24 passengers and at 37,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Premier Boats Alante 231 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.